EP2249127A1 - Vorrichtung zur messung der physikalischen quantität optischer frequenzbereichsreflexionen sowie verfahren zur gleichzeitigen temperatur- und belastungsmessung unter verwendung der vorrichtung - Google Patents

Vorrichtung zur messung der physikalischen quantität optischer frequenzbereichsreflexionen sowie verfahren zur gleichzeitigen temperatur- und belastungsmessung unter verwendung der vorrichtung Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2249127A1
EP2249127A1 EP09715327A EP09715327A EP2249127A1 EP 2249127 A1 EP2249127 A1 EP 2249127A1 EP 09715327 A EP09715327 A EP 09715327A EP 09715327 A EP09715327 A EP 09715327A EP 2249127 A1 EP2249127 A1 EP 2249127A1
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Prior art keywords
polarization
sensor
fiber
maintaining fiber
maintaining
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EP09715327A
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English (en)
French (fr)
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EP2249127A4 (de
EP2249127B1 (de
Inventor
Koji Omichi
Akira Sakamoto
Shunichirou Hirafune
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Fujikura Ltd
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Fujikura Ltd
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01K—MEASURING TEMPERATURE; MEASURING QUANTITY OF HEAT; THERMALLY-SENSITIVE ELEMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01K11/00—Measuring temperature based upon physical or chemical changes not covered by groups G01K3/00, G01K5/00, G01K7/00 or G01K9/00
    • G01K11/32—Measuring temperature based upon physical or chemical changes not covered by groups G01K3/00, G01K5/00, G01K7/00 or G01K9/00 using changes in transmittance, scattering or luminescence in optical fibres
    • G01K11/3206—Measuring temperature based upon physical or chemical changes not covered by groups G01K3/00, G01K5/00, G01K7/00 or G01K9/00 using changes in transmittance, scattering or luminescence in optical fibres at discrete locations in the fibre, e.g. using Bragg scattering
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01B—MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS
    • G01B11/00—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques
    • G01B11/16—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring the deformation in a solid, e.g. optical strain gauge
    • G01B11/18—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring the deformation in a solid, e.g. optical strain gauge using photoelastic elements
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01D—MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01D5/00—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable
    • G01D5/26—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light
    • G01D5/32—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light
    • G01D5/34—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells
    • G01D5/353—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells influencing the transmission properties of an optical fibre
    • G01D5/35303—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells influencing the transmission properties of an optical fibre using a reference fibre, e.g. interferometric devices
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01D—MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01D5/00—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable
    • G01D5/26—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light
    • G01D5/32—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light
    • G01D5/34—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells
    • G01D5/353—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells influencing the transmission properties of an optical fibre
    • G01D5/35306—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells influencing the transmission properties of an optical fibre using an interferometer arrangement
    • G01D5/35309—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells influencing the transmission properties of an optical fibre using an interferometer arrangement using multiple waves interferometer
    • G01D5/35316—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells influencing the transmission properties of an optical fibre using an interferometer arrangement using multiple waves interferometer using a Bragg gratings
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01D—MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01D5/00—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable
    • G01D5/26—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light
    • G01D5/32—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light
    • G01D5/34—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells
    • G01D5/353—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells influencing the transmission properties of an optical fibre
    • G01D5/35338—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells influencing the transmission properties of an optical fibre using other arrangements than interferometer arrangements
    • G01D5/35354—Sensor working in reflection
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01D—MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01D5/00—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable
    • G01D5/26—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light
    • G01D5/32—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light
    • G01D5/34—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells
    • G01D5/353—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells influencing the transmission properties of an optical fibre
    • G01D5/3537—Optical fibre sensor using a particular arrangement of the optical fibre itself
    • G01D5/3538—Optical fibre sensor using a particular arrangement of the optical fibre itself using a particular type of fiber, e.g. fibre with several cores, PANDA fiber, fiber with an elliptic core or the like
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01D—MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01D5/00—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable
    • G01D5/26—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light
    • G01D5/32—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light
    • G01D5/34—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells
    • G01D5/353—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells influencing the transmission properties of an optical fibre
    • G01D5/35383—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells influencing the transmission properties of an optical fibre using multiple sensor devices using multiplexing techniques
    • G01D5/35393—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells influencing the transmission properties of an optical fibre using multiple sensor devices using multiplexing techniques using frequency division multiplexing
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01L—MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE
    • G01L1/00—Measuring force or stress, in general
    • G01L1/24—Measuring force or stress, in general by measuring variations of optical properties of material when it is stressed, e.g. by photoelastic stress analysis using infrared, visible light, ultraviolet
    • G01L1/242—Measuring force or stress, in general by measuring variations of optical properties of material when it is stressed, e.g. by photoelastic stress analysis using infrared, visible light, ultraviolet the material being an optical fibre
    • G01L1/246—Measuring force or stress, in general by measuring variations of optical properties of material when it is stressed, e.g. by photoelastic stress analysis using infrared, visible light, ultraviolet the material being an optical fibre using integrated gratings, e.g. Bragg gratings

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a physical quantity measuring apparatus utilizing optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR), and to a method for simultaneous measurement of temperature and strain using the physical quantity measuring apparatus.
  • OFDR optical frequency domain reflectometry
  • one or a plurality of fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors are arranged on a (one) polarization-maintaining (PM) fiber, and the position of the FBG sensor and physical quantities such as strain or temperature of the FBG sensor are measured.
  • FBG fiber Bragg grating
  • PM polarization-maintaining
  • a sensor that measures physical quantities such as temperature and strain using an optical fiber have some advantages such as a long operating life, a lightweight, a thin diameter, and a flexibility, thereby enabling it be used in narrow spaces.
  • this sensor has a characteristic of a strong resistance to electromagnetic noise due to insulation property of the optical fiber. It is therefore anticipated that this sensor will be used for structural health monitoring of large constructions such as bridges and buildings, and aerospace equipment such as passenger airplanes and manmade satellites. Performance requirements of the sensor for applying the structural health monitoring in these structures include high spatial resolution, and having a multipoint (multiplexed) sensor (having a wide detection range), and a capability of real time measurement, and the like.
  • optical fiber sensor using an FBG sensor and OFDR analysis method is a most promising optical fiber sensor that fully satisfies the above performance requirements.
  • the optical fiber sensor system using the FBG sensor and the OFDR analysis method determines the position of the FBG sensor by using cyclic change in interference light intensity between Bragg reflected light from the FBG sensor and reflected light from a referential reflecting end.
  • this optical fiber sensor system measures strain and temperature of a detection part based on an amount of change in the wavelength of the Bragg reflected light.
  • Hitherto disclosed examples of this optical fiber sensor system include one with high spatial resolution of 1 mm or less (e.g. see Non-Patent Literature 1), one in which eight hundred FBG sensors are multiplexed on an eight-meter optical fiber, and one can measure strain at more than three thousand points with a total of four optical fibers simultaneously (e.g. see Non-Patent Literature 2), and one can real time measurements (e.g. see Patent Literature 1).
  • Patent Literature 3 also describes means for measuring of strain distribution.
  • a general problem of optical fiber sensor systems includes that, when there is change in a plurality of physical quantities such as temperature and strain, it is not possible to independently identify and measure amount of these changes. Consequently, for example, when using the optical fiber sensor system as a strain sensor, a separate temperature-compensating sensor must be used so that temperature change of a detection part is not treated as the change in strain.
  • a method using FBG sensors consist of PM fibers has been proposed (e.g. see Patent Literature 1).
  • PANDA type PM fiber is used for FBG sensor, and temperature and strain can be measured simultaneously by measuring the amount of change in the wavelength of Bragg reflected lights from two orthogonal polarization axes at the FBG sensor consists of this PANDA fiber. That is, this method provides a strain sensor that does not require a temperature-compensating sensor.
  • an optical fiber sensor system using an FBG sensor consists of PM fiber and OFDR analysis method has not yet been proposed. It is because measuring light must be split (branched) in a well-controlled manner to the two orthogonal polarization axes, and must then be propagated to the FBG sensor and to a referential reflecting end, in order to obtain stable measurement of Bragg reflected lights from two orthogonal polarization axes in the FBG sensor. Usually, however, measuring light is emitted in a single polarization. Therefore, when the optical path to the FBG sensor and the referential reflecting end is formed from PM fiber, while one Bragg reflected light among the Bragg reflected lights from the two orthogonal polarization axes at the FBG sensor can be measured, but the other cannot. Consequently, Bragg reflected lights from the two orthogonal polarization axes cannot be measured in the manner described above.
  • the position of the FBG sensor is identified based on the cycle of the interference signal between the Bragg reflected light from the FBG sensor and the reflected light from the referential reflecting end.
  • the position of the FBG sensor (more accurately, the fiber length difference between the referential reflecting end and the FBG sensor) can be obtained by means of short-time Fourier transform (hereinafter 'STFT') analysis if it is set an appropriate effective refractive index of optical fiber.
  • 'STFT' short-time Fourier transform
  • the present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a physical quantity measuring apparatus utilizing OFDR and a method for simultaneous measurement of temperature and strain using the physical quantity measuring apparatus.
  • the physical quantity measuring apparatus utilizing OFDR and the method of the present invention can measure temperature and strain simultaneously, and can measure physical quantities with high spatial resolution.
  • a physical quantity measuring apparatus utilizing optical frequency domain reflectometry of the invention includes a tunable laser that emits measuring light; a first polarization-maintaining fiber with one end thereof connected with the tunable laser; a polarization-maintaining coupler connected with another end of the first polarization-maintaining fiber; a second polarization-maintaining fiber with one end thereof connected with the polarization-maintaining coupler and another end thereof being a referential reflecting end; a third polarization-maintaining fiber with one end thereof connected with the polarization-maintaining coupler; a sensor consists of fiber Bragg gratings formed at a core of the third polarization-maintaining fiber; a fourth polarization-maintaining fiber with one end thereof connected with the polarization-maintaining coupler; a photodi
  • the measuring apparatus since the measuring apparatus includes a FBG sensor arranged at the core of a polarization-maintaining fiber, and an incidence part for making measuring light incident to two orthogonal polarization axes of the polarization-maintaining fiber where the sensor is provided, the temperature and strain of the sensor can be measured simultaneously. Further, since the measuring apparatus includes the optical path-length adjuster for maintaining a constant (same) optical path-length of Bragg reflected light from the two orthogonal polarization axes of the sensor, the position of the sensor can be identified accurately, and physical quantities can be measured with high spatial resolution.
  • strain and temperature from one FBG sensor can be measured simultaneously.
  • temperature distribution and strain distribution along the long direction of the FBG sensor can also be measured simultaneously.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration view showing a first embodiment of a physical quantity measuring apparatus utilizing optical frequency domain reflectometry (hereinafter abbreviated as 'OFDR') of the invention.
  • 'OFDR' optical frequency domain reflectometry
  • a physical quantity measuring apparatus utilizing OFDR 10A (10) of this embodiment broadly includes a tunable laser 12 that emits measuring light; a first polarization-maintaining fiber 16 with one end thereof connected with the tunable laser 12; a polarization-maintaining coupler 11 connected with another end of the first polarization-maintaining fiber 16; a second polarization-maintaining fiber 18 with one end thereof connected with the polarization-maintaining coupler 11 and another end being a referential reflecting end 14; a third polarization-maintaining fiber 19 with one end thereof connected with the polarization-maintaining coupler 11; a sensor 15 consists of a fiber Bragg grating formed at the core of the third polarization-maintaining fiber 19; a fourth polarization-maintaining fiber 17 with one end thereof connected with the polarization-maintaining coupler 11; a photodiode 13 connected whit the polarization
  • the tunable laser 12 it is ideal to use a laser whose coherence length is longer than the optical path length from the point where the measuring light is emitted from the tunable laser 12 to the point where, after being reflected from the sensor 15, it is inputs to the photodiode 13.
  • the photodiode 13 it is ideal to use one with a cutoff frequency that can detect intensity modulation of optical interference obtained from two reflection points, i.e. the referential reflecting end 14 and the sensor 15, when the wavelength of the measuring light emitted from the tunable laser 12 has been changed.
  • the controller 22 includes an A/D converter 54 that samples a signal from the photodiode 13, and a system controller 53 that analyzes this sampling data.
  • the A/D converter 54 it is ideal to use one with a sampling frequency that can detect intensity modulation of optical interference detected by the photodiode 13.
  • the A/D converter 54 digitally samples an analog optical interference signal measured by the photodiode 13.
  • the digital interference signal is transmitted to the system controller 53.
  • the system controller 53 uses the digital interference signal to perform short-time Fourier transform (hereinafter 'STFT') analysis. The analysis method is described later. There are no particular restrictions on the type of system controller 53, the sole requirement being that it can perform STFT analysis of the digital interference signal obtained at the A/D converter 54.
  • the system controller 53 is connected with the tunable laser 12 via a universal interface bus (GPIB), and controls the tunable laser 12.
  • GPS universal interface bus
  • the incidence part 20 is arranged on the first PM fiber 16, and splits the measuring light emitted as a single polarization from the tunable laser 12 into two orthogonal polarization axes of the first PM fiber 16.
  • the incidence part 20 need only be capable of making the measuring light incident to both the two orthogonal polarization axes of the second PM fiber 18 and the two orthogonal polarization axes of the third PM fiber 19, and, as shown in FIG. 2 , can be provided on both the second PM fiber 18 and the third PM fiber 19. Since the incidence part 20 can acceptably be provided at a single location, it is preferably provided in the first stage of the split part between the third PM fiber 19 where the sensor 15 is formed and the second PM fiber 18 including the referential reflecting end 14 (i.e.
  • Any type of incidence part 20 can be used, provided that it can split single-polarization measuring light to two orthogonal polarization axes of the PM fiber, such as a method of inserting a half-wave ( ⁇ /2) plate, a method of providing a polarization angle offset fusion splice, or a method of arranging the PM fiber such that the polarization axis of the PM fiber has an angle offset with respect to single-polarization measuring light from the tunable laser 12, and joining light emitted from the tunable laser 12 to the PM fiber, etc.
  • the incidence part 20 is preferably a 45-degree polarization axis offset angle fusion splice (hereinafter '45-degree offset fusion splice') to the first PM fiber 16.
  • a polarization axis angle offset fusion splice means fusion-splicing two PM fibers such that forming an offset angle of one polarization axes of one PM fiber with respect to that of the other PM fiber in a fusion splice point.
  • An offset angle of one polarization axes of the PM fiber has formed in the fusion point signifies that a similar offset angle of the other polarization axis orthogonal thereto also has formed, and two PM fibers are fusion spliced to each other.
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the state of a 45-degree offset fusion splice when a polarization-maintaining AND absorption-reducing (PANDA) fiber is used as the PM fiber.
  • a PANDA fiber 60 includes circular stress-applying parts 62 at the cladding at both ends of a core 61, in order to give the birefringence for the core.
  • the stress-applying parts 62 generate a propagation constant difference (difference in effective refractive index) between the two orthogonal polarization modes. This enables coupling from each polarization mode to the other polarization mode to be suppressed.
  • 'slow axis' and 'fast axis' The polarization axes which these two orthogonal polarization modes propagate along are termed 'slow axis' and 'fast axis', and the difference in their effective refractive indices is termed 'birefringence'.
  • Straight lines that join the two stress-applying parts 62 to the core 61 i.e.
  • straight line 63A that joins the two stress-applying parts 62A and 62a of PANDA fiber 60A to the core 61A, and straight line 63B that joins the two stress- applying parts 62B and 62b of PANDA fiber 60B to the core 61B) are connected such as to obtain a desired polarization axis offset angle ⁇ between the two PANDA fibers 60A and 60B, whereby the desired offset fusion splice can be achieved.
  • optical path-length adjuster 21 can be used, provided that it can adjust the optical path-length of Bragg reflected lights from the two orthogonal polarization axes at the sensor 15 to a constant length.
  • it is includes a method of inserting a birefringent crystal into the optical path, a method of forming a fusion splice with a polarization axis angle offset to the PM fiber, and the like.
  • a 90-degree offset fusion is the most preferable of the above methods.
  • the optical path-length adjuster 21 is provided midway in the fiber length (L 1 in FIG. 1 ) from a position corresponding to the length of the second PM fiber 18 having the referential reflecting end 14 to the sensor 15, in order to achieve a constant optical path-length of the Bragg reflected lights from the two orthogonal polarization axes at the sensor 15.
  • the optical path-length adjuster 21 By arranging the optical path-length adjuster 21 at this position, the optical path-length of the Bragg reflected lights from the two orthogonal polarization axes at the sensor 15 can be made constant, and, when analyze the Bragg reflected lights from the two orthogonal polarization axes, those Bragg reflected lights can be made to reach the same measuring position.
  • the incidence part 20 for splitting single polarization measuring light emitted from the tunable laser 12 to two orthogonal polarization axes of the second PM fiber 18 and the third PM fiber 19, are arranged between the tunable laser 12 and the PM coupler 11.
  • This enables Bragg reflected lights from the two orthogonal polarization axes at the sensor 15 to be obtained.
  • the strain and temperature at the location where the sensor 15 is placed can be measured simultaneously. As a result, a strain sensor that does not require separate temperature compensation can be achieved.
  • the optical path-length adjuster 21 is provided midway in the fiber length from a position corresponding to the length of the second PM fiber 18 having the referential reflecting end 14 to the sensor 15. This enables the optical path-length of the Bragg reflected lights from the two orthogonal polarization axes at the sensor 15 to be made constant. That is, when an interference signal between Bragg reflected light from the sensor 15 and reflected light from the referential reflecting end 14 is subjected to STFT analysis, the Bragg reflected lights from the two orthogonal polarization axes reach the same position.
  • Temperature and strain at the detection part can be measured simultaneously, by using the physical quantity measuring apparatus utilizing OFDR 10A to measure the amount of change in the wavelength of Bragg reflected lights from the two orthogonal polarization axes at the sensor 15, in which the change in wavelength is caused by the induced temperature and strain for the sensor.
  • PANDA fibers are used as the first to the fourth PM fibers.
  • interference light between Bragg reflected light from the sensor 15 and reflected light from the referential reflecting end 14 is incident to the photodiode 13.
  • This optical interference signal D 1 incident to the photodiode 13 is the summation of the signals of the two orthogonal polarization axes, expressed by the following equation (1).
  • R slow and R fast represent the intensity of interference light from two orthogonal polarization axes of the PANDA fiber, that is, they represent the interference light intensity from a slow axis (X-axis) and a fast axis (Y-axis). Also, k represents the wavenumber; n slow and n fast represent the effective refractive indices of the slow axis (X-axis) and the fast axis (Y-axis).
  • L 1 represents the difference (fiber length difference) between the length on the second PANDA fiber (PM fiber) 18 from the PM coupler 11 to the referential reflecting end 14, and the length on the third PANDA fiber (PM fiber) 19 from the PM coupler 11 to the sensor 15. That is, as shown in FIG. 1 , L 1 represents the fiber length from a position corresponding to the length of the second PM fiber 18 having the referential reflecting end 14 to the sensor 15 on the third PANDA fiber 19.
  • the abovementioned D 1 is determined using the physical quantity measuring apparatus utilizing OFDR 10A, and the obtained optical interference signal D 1 is subjected to STFT analysis in the system controller 53.
  • the expression (n slow + n fast ) L 1 in the first and second items on the right side of equation (1) signifies the length of the optical path along which the measuring light emitted from the tunable laser 12 propagates forward and back in fiber length difference L 1 . That is, the optical path-length corresponding to L 1 in the third PANDA fiber becomes ⁇ (n slow + n fast ) / 2 ⁇ L 1 , which corresponds to half of (n slow + n fast ) L 1 .
  • an analog optical interference signal corresponding to equation (1) measured at the photodiode 13 is digitally sampled by the A/D converter 54 of the controller 22, and this digital interference signal is subjected to STFT analysis in the system controller 53 of the controller 22; in the present text, even when the description is abbreviated as 'the optical interference signal measured by the photodiode 13 is subjected to STFT analysis in the system controller 53', it is to be understood that the same process is being performed. Since, as already mentioned above, the A/D converter 54 has a sampling frequency that can detect intensity modulation of the optical interference detected by the photodiode 13, the analog optical interference signal and the sampled digital interference signal are essentially the same signal. Also, points that can more effectively explain the features of the invention, by using a formula that represents an analog optical interference signal, will be explained using an optical interference signal.
  • n slow and n fast are substituted in the obtained optical path-length ⁇ (n slow + n fast ) / 2 ⁇ L 1 , and L 1 is determined.
  • n slow and n fast it is possible to use values determined from the wavelength of the Bragg reflected light from the sensor 15, and a grating period calculated from the interval between the diffracting gratings of the uniform period phase mask used in manufacturing the sensor 15, or values determined from near-field pattern measurements.
  • This measuring method calculates temperature and strain from the shift amount in the wavelength of Bragg reflected lights from two orthogonal polarization axes at the sensor 15.
  • the wavelength of Bragg reflected light from two orthogonal polarization axes of the sensor 15 at a predetermined reference temperature (e.g. 20°C) and at a reference strain (e.g. 0 ⁇ ) is measured.
  • the sensor 15 is then arranged at a location where detection is deemed desirable (hereinafter 'detection part'), and at this detection part, the wavelength of Bragg reflected light from two orthogonal polarization axes of the sensor 15 is measured.
  • the wavelength difference (amount of change) between the wavelength of Bragg reflected light in the detection part, and the wavelength of Bragg reflected light at the reference temperature and reference strain is calculated.
  • the obtained wavelength difference is inserted into equation (2) below to obtain the temperature difference between temperature at the detection part and the reference temperature, and the strain difference between strain at the detection part and the reference strain; lastly, the actual temperature and actual strain at the detection part are calculated from the known reference temperature and reference strain.
  • ⁇ T represents the temperature difference between the temperature at the detection part and the reference temperature
  • ⁇ represents the strain difference between the strain at the detection part and the reference strain
  • T represents the temperature at the detection part
  • ⁇ represents the strain at the detection part.
  • ⁇ slow and ⁇ fast represent wavelengths of Bragg reflected lights from two orthogonal polarization axes of the sensor 15 at the detection part.
  • ⁇ slow and ⁇ fast represent the difference between the wavelength of Bragg reflected light from two orthogonal polarization axes of the sensor 15 at the detection part and the wavelength of Bragg reflected light from two orthogonal polarization axes of the sensor 15 at the reference temperature and reference strain, respectively.
  • ⁇ slow / ⁇ and ⁇ fast / ⁇ represent Bragg wavelength shift amounts per unit of strain of the slow axis and the fast axis.
  • ⁇ slow / ⁇ T and ⁇ fast / ⁇ T represent Bragg wavelength shift amounts per unit of temperature of the slow axis and the fast axis.
  • the Bragg wavelength shift amounts per unit of strain or per unit of temperature are obtained by using the physical quantity measuring apparatus utilizing OFDR 10A, and applying strain to the sensor 15 at the reference temperature (20°C), and measuring the strain dependence of Bragg wavelength change of the slow axis and the fast axis at the sensor 15, and applying a temperature change to the sensor 15 at the reference strain (0 ⁇ ), and measuring the temperature dependence of Bragg wavelength change of the slow axis and the fast axis at the sensor 15.
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration view showing a second embodiment of the physical quantity measuring apparatus utilizing OFDR of the invention.
  • a physical quantity measuring apparatus utilizing OFDR 10C (10) of this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a plurality of sensors 15 (in FIG. 4 , two sensors 15a and 15b) are arranged on the third PM fiber 19.
  • the physical quantity measuring apparatus utilizing OFDR 10C of this embodiment further includes a second optical path-length adjuster 21b (21), provided midway in the fiber length between adjacent sensors (first sensor 15a and second sensor 15b). Therefore, optical path-lengths of Bragg reflected lights from two orthogonal polarization axes at the first sensor 15a and at the second sensor 15b can be made constant respectively.
  • the positions of the sensors 15 can be identified, and temperature and strain can be measured. While in this embodiment, two sensors 15 (first sensor 15a and second sensor 15b) are provided on the third PM fiber 19, the physical quantity measuring apparatus utilizing OFDR of this embodiment is not limited to this arrangement. In the physical quantity measuring apparatus utilizing OFDR of this embodiment, three or more sensors 15 can be provided on the third PM fiber 19. In this case, as in this embodiment where two sensors 15 are provided, Bragg reflected lights from two orthogonal polarization axes can be detected at the same position for each sensor 15. That is, even when three or more sensors 15 are provided on the third PM fiber 19, the position of each sensor 15 can be accurately identified, and strain can be measured with high spatial resolution.
  • the third PM fiber 19 where the sensors 15 are arranged is preferably consists of a PM fiber with a large difference in the effective refractive indices of the two orthogonal polarization axes (birefringence). This increases the difference in sensitivity to temperature and strain in the two orthogonal polarization axes, and enables temperature and strain to be simultaneously measured with high accuracy. More specifically, it is preferable that the difference in the effective refractive indices of the two orthogonal polarization axes is not less than 4.4 ⁇ 10 -4 .
  • the shift characteristics difference of Bragg wavelength to sensor temperature change can be made greater than -5.0 ⁇ 10 -4 nm/°C.
  • remarkably high accuracy measurements of temperature and strain can be obtained, such as temperature accuracy of 2°C, and strain accuracy of 30 ⁇ .
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a physical quantity measuring apparatus utilizing OFDR 10D of Example 1.
  • the configuration of this example is based on the physical quantity measuring apparatus utilizing OFDR 10A described in the first embodiment.
  • constituent elements of the physical quantity measuring apparatus utilizing OFDR 10A of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 are designated by like reference numerals, and are not repetitiously explained.
  • the physical quantity measuring apparatus utilizing OFDR 10D of Example 1 further includes two PM couplers 31 and 32, a photodiode 35, and two referential reflecting ends 37 and 38 in the physical quantity measuring apparatus utilizing OFDR 10A shown in FIG. 1 . These elements are connected together by PANDA type PM fibers 41, 42, 43, 44, 47, and 48.
  • PANDA fibers are also used for first to fourth PM fibers and a PM coupler 11.
  • the tunable laser 12 connects with a system controller 53 via a general purpose interface bus (GPIB), thereby the controls are performed.
  • GPS general purpose interface bus
  • Signals from two photodiodes 13 and 35 are sampled by the A/D converter 54, and the sampling data is subjected to STFT analysis at the system controller 53.
  • the analysis method is the same as the analysis method described in the first embodiment.
  • PTAP-0150-2-B (model) made by Fujikura Ltd. was used.
  • 8164A model made by Agilent Ltd.
  • 2117FC model made by New Focus Ltd.
  • SM-15-PS-U25A model made by Fujikura Ltd. was used.
  • PXI-8106 (model) made by National Instruments Ltd. was used.
  • PXI-6115 (model) made by National Instruments Ltd. was used.
  • the tunable laser 12 emits single-polarization measuring light being swept (monotonously increased or monotonously decreased) within a constant wavelength range at a constant speed.
  • the tunable laser 12 emitted measuring light being swept over a wavelength range of 1545 to 1555 nm at a speed of 10 nm/s.
  • Single-polarization measuring light emitted from the tunable laser 12 propagates along the slow axis of PANDA fiber 41, and is incident to PM coupler 31.
  • the PM coupler 31 splits the light, which is then incident to the two optical interferometers.
  • One of the two optical interferometers consists of the PM coupler 32, the referential reflecting ends 37 and 38, and the photodiode 35. This one of the optical interferometers generate trigger signals related to the fiber length difference (optical path-length difference) between PANDA fiber 47 including the referential reflecting end 37 and PANDA fiber 48 including the referential reflecting end 38.
  • the fiber length difference between PANDA fiber 47 and PANDA fiber 48 was set to be 50 m.
  • the trigger signals are generated by the following method.
  • the measuring light is reflected by the referential reflecting ends 37 and 38, and interference light thereof is measured by the photodiode 35.
  • the A/D converter 54 samples a signal obtained by the photodiode 35, and converts it to a voltage signal. This voltage signal is acquired by the system controller 53.
  • the wavelength of the measuring light emitted from the tunable laser 12 changes at a constant speed. Consequently, the signal measured by the photodiode 35 becomes a sine function that fluctuates at a constant optical wavenumber interval.
  • the system controller 53 generates the trigger signals at a timing of crossing the threshold (a timing when the threshold is crossed from a value lower than the threshold, or a timing when it is crossed from a value above it), the generated trigger signals will have a constant optical wavenumber interval. Even when the sweeping speed of the tunable laser 12 is not constant, this method of generating the trigger signals is remarkably effective in that the optical wavenumber interval is always constant.
  • the other one of the two optical interferometers has the schematic configuration of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 .
  • the sensor 15 was made by a conventional exposure method using a KrF excimer laser and a uniform period phase mask.
  • the grating length (sensor length) was 5 mm.
  • the length L 1 from a position corresponding to the PANDA fiber 14 including the referential reflecting end 14 to the sensor 15 was approximately 20 m.
  • a 90-degree offset fusion splice was provided as an optical path-length adjuster 21 at a position midway in L 1 , i.e. at a position approximately 10 m from a position corresponding to the length of the PANDA fiber 18 including the referential reflecting end 14.
  • a 45-degree offset fusion splice was provided at the PANDA fiber 16.
  • An obtained optical interference signal D 1 is subjected to STFT analysis by the system controller 53.
  • the optical interference signal D 1 is expressed by the same equation (1) as the first embodiment.
  • the obtained optical interference signal D 1 was analyzed at a window width corresponding to approximately 40 ms intervals (the tunable laser 12 at a speed of 10 nm/s converts to a wavelength of approximately 400 pm intervals).
  • the analysis can be performed with a window width corresponding, not to a constant time interval, but to a constant optical wavenumber interval (i.e. a constant wavelength interval).
  • the state of the sensor 15 was measured using the physical quantity measuring apparatus utilizing OFDR 10D of this example.
  • the results are shown in FIG. 6 .
  • the physical quantity measuring apparatus utilizing OFDR 10D Bragg reflected light from the sensor 15 is displayed as a spectrogram.
  • the horizontal axis represents wavelength
  • the vertical axis represents the position (fiber length from a position corresponding to the PANDA fiber 18 including the referential reflecting end 14)
  • color tone represents the Bragg reflection intensity.
  • Example 1 it is confirmed that, since Bragg reflected light is obtained from two orthogonal polarization axes of the sensor 15, temperature and strain can be measured simultaneously. It is thus confirmed that, when using the physical quantity measuring apparatus utilizing OFDR 10D of this example to measure strain, no sensor for temperature-compensation is required. Also, since the position of the sensor 15 can be identified accurately, strain can be measured with high spatial resolution.
  • Comparative Examples 1 and 2 which were performed to verify the effects of the invention, will be explained. These Comparative Examples 1 and 2 are not conventional technology; they are new technology implemented for the purpose of verifying the effects of the invention.
  • a physical quantity measuring apparatus utilizing OFDR was manufactured in the same manner as Example 1, excepting that the polarization axis offset angles at the fusion splice parts of the incidence part and the optical path-length adjuster were both set to be 0°.
  • the state of the sensor was measured using the physical quantity measuring apparatus utilizing OFDR of the Comparative Example 1.
  • the results are shown in FIG. 7 .
  • Bragg reflected light was obtained only from the slow axis of the sensor 15. It is impossible to measure the temperature and strain of the sensor 15 simultaneously based on Bragg reflected light from only one polarization axis. Therefore, when using the physical quantity measuring apparatus utilizing OFDR of Comparative Example 1 to measure strain, a sensor for temperature-compensation is required.
  • a physical quantity measuring apparatus utilizing OFDR was manufactured in the same manner as Example 1, except that the polarization axis offset angle at the fusion splice part of the optical path-length adjuster was set to be 0°.
  • the state of the sensor was measured using the physical quantity measuring apparatus utilizing OFDR of the Comparative Example 2.
  • the results are shown in FIG. 8 .
  • FIG. 8 in Comparative Example 2, Bragg reflected light was obtained from the slow axis and from the fast axis of the sensor 15. Therefore, when using the physical quantity measuring apparatus utilizing OFDR of Comparative Example 2 to measure strain, as in Example 1, a sensor for temperature-compensation is not required. However, since the positions of each Bragg reflected lights were different, the position of the sensor 15 could not be accurately identified, with the result that strain could not be measured with high spatial resolution.
  • an optical interference signal D 2 obtained at the photodiode 13 is expressed by equation (4) below.
  • D 2 R slow cos k ⁇ 2 ⁇ n slow ⁇ L 1 + R fast cos k ⁇ 2 ⁇ n fast ⁇ L 1
  • D 2 R slow cos k ⁇ 2 ⁇ n slow ⁇ L 1 + R fast cos k ⁇ 2 ⁇ n fast ⁇ L 1
  • the measuring light emitted from the tunable laser 12 has a different optical path-length forward and backward along the fiber length difference L 1 . This is because n slow and n fast always maintain a relationship of n slow > n fast .
  • Bragg reflected light from the slow axis of the sensor 15 has a position of approximately 19.629 m
  • Bragg reflected light from the fast axis of the sensor 15 has a position of approximately 19.624 m.
  • the difference is thus approximately 5 mm.
  • This difference can be detected because an optical fiber sensor system that uses a sensor and OFDR analysis method has high spatial resolution of less than 1 mm. In other words, since other types of optical fiber sensor systems do not possess this level of spatial resolution (or do not include a unit for identifying position), they cannot detect such positional deviation. That is, this method is valid only for optical fiber sensor systems that use FBG sensors and OFDR analysis method.
  • the length of the sensor 15 is short enough with respect to L 1 so as to be negligible.
  • values such as those obtained from the wavelength of the Bragg reflected light from the sensor 15 and a grating period calculated from the interval between the diffracting gratings of the uniform period phase mask used in manufacturing the sensor 15, or values obtained from near field pattern measurements, are used for n slow and n fast .
  • ⁇ slow and ⁇ fast represent the wavelengths of Bragg reflected lights from the two orthogonal polarization axes of the sensor 15.
  • A represents the grating period calculated from the interval between the diffracting gratings of the uniform period phase mask.
  • FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration view showing a physical quantity measuring apparatus utilizing OFDR 10E of Example 2.
  • Example 2 differs from Example 1 in that it was manufactured based on the physical quantity measuring apparatus utilizing OFDR 10C of the second embodiment. That is, this example differs from Example 1 in that a first sensor 15a and a second sensor 15b were provided on the third PM fiber (PANDA fiber) 19, and a second optical path-length adjuster 21b (90-degree offset fusion splice) was provided between the first sensor 15a and the second sensor 15b.
  • the second sensor 15b was provided 5 m from the first sensor 15a.
  • the second optical path-length adjuster 21b was provided approximately 2.5 m from the first sensor 15a and the second sensor 15b.
  • FIG. 11 shows measurement results of the state of first sensor 15a
  • FIG. 12 shows measurement results of the state of the second sensor 15b, taken using the physical quantity measuring apparatus utilizing OFDR 10E of this example. From the results in FIG. 11 it was confirmed that the position of Bragg reflected light from the slow axis of the first sensor 15a, and the position of Bragg reflected light from the fast axis of the first sensor 15a, both match at approximately 19.672 m. From the results in FIG. 12 it was confirmed that the position of Bragg reflected light from the slow axis of the second sensor 15b, and the position of Bragg reflected light from the fast axis of the second sensor 15b, both match at approximately 24.757 m.
  • Example 3 was manufactured in the same manner as Example 1, excepting that the third PM fiber 19 where the sensor 15 is provided was consists of a PANDA fiber whose slow axis and fast axis have a large effective refractive index difference (birefringence).
  • This high birefringence PANDA fiber can be obtained, in terms of the configuration of FIG. 3 , by arranging the stress-applying parts 62 near to the core 61. That is, the birefringence of the PANDA fiber can be adjusted arbitrarily depending on the arrangement of the stress-applying parts 62.
  • the state of the sensor 15 was measured using the physical quantity measuring apparatus utilizing OFDR of this example. The results are shown in FIG. 13 .
  • 1551.1 nm Bragg reflected light is from the slow axis of the sensor 15, and 1550.4 nm Bragg reflected light is from the fast axis of the sensor 15.
  • the spectrogram of the sensor 15 obtained in Example 3 was analyzed in greater detail, the Bragg wavelength difference between the slow axis and the fast axis was 0.670 nm. The birefringence calculated from this Bragg wavelength difference was 6.22 ⁇ 10 -4 .
  • the Bragg wavelength difference obtained by detailed analysis of the spectrogram of the sensor 15 obtained in Example 1 was 0.391 nm, and the birefringence calculated from this Bragg wavelength difference was 3.65 ⁇ 10 -4 . That is, the birefringence of the PANDA fiber that forms the sensor 15 of Example 3 is twice the one that forms the sensor 15 of Example 1.
  • strain was applied to the sensor 15 at the reference temperature (20°C), and the strain dependence of Bragg wavelength change on the slow axis and the fast axis of the sensor 15 was measured.
  • temperature change was applied to the sensor 15 at the reference strain (0 ⁇ ), and the temperature change dependence of Bragg wavelength change on the slow axis and the fast axis of the sensor 15 was measured; when each item in the abovementioned equation (2) was obtained at the sensor 15, equation (7) below was obtained.
  • the greater difference between ⁇ slow / ⁇ and ⁇ fast / ⁇ , and the greater difference between ⁇ slow / ⁇ T and ⁇ fast / ⁇ T enable the calculation to obtain high accuracy result.
  • the difference between ⁇ slow / ⁇ and ⁇ fast / ⁇ represents the shift characteristics difference of Bragg wavelength with respect to strain of the slow axis and the fast axis
  • the difference between ⁇ slow / ⁇ T and ⁇ fast / ⁇ T represents the shift characteristics difference of Bragg wavelength with respect to temperature change of the slow axis and the fast axis.
  • the difference between ⁇ slow / ⁇ T and ⁇ fast / ⁇ T obtained in equation (7) of Example 3 is larger than that in equation (3) of Example 1.
  • the difference is -3.7 ⁇ 10 -4 nm/°C
  • equation (7) obtained in Example 3 the difference is -7.2 ⁇ 10 -4 nm/°C. That is, the sensor 15 of Example 3 has nearly twice the shift characteristics difference of Bragg wavelength with respect to temperature change compared to the sensor 15 of Example 1. Conceivably, this is caused by a difference in birefringence of the PANDA fibers that constitute the sensors. It is known that the birefringence generated at the core of PANDA fiber decreases in proportion to the increase in temperature, and becomes almost zero at a temperature of 800 to 900°C, which is the fusion point of the stress-applying parts.
  • the sensor 15 of Example 3 has nearly twice the shift characteristics difference of Bragg wavelength with respect to temperature change compared to the sensor 15 of Example 1.
  • the temperature change was 20°C, 40°C, and 100°C (i.e. the setting temperature was 40°C, 60°C, and 120°C) from the reference temperature (20°C), and, the strain change was 257 ⁇ , 535 ⁇ , and 1056 ⁇ from the reference strain (0 ⁇ ), so that temperature and strain were measured under a total of nine conditions.
  • temperature and strain were measured simultaneously with remarkably high accuracy, temperature accuracy being less than 2°C, and strain accuracy being less than 30 ⁇ .
  • an FBG sensor used in the physical quantity measuring apparatus utilizing OFDR of the invention is preferably consists of PANDA fibers having a large birefringence.
  • the shift characteristics difference of the Bragg wavelength with respect to temperature change of the sensor should preferably be greater than -5.0 ⁇ 10 -4 nm/°C.
  • FIG. 14 is a graph showing evaluation results of the birefringence of a PANDA fiber, and the shift characteristics difference of the Bragg wavelength with respect to temperature change of a FBG sensor consists of that fiber. From the results of FIG.
  • the birefringence of the PANDA fiber when the birefringence of the PANDA fiber was 4.4 ⁇ 10 -4 or more, the shift characteristics difference of the Bragg wavelength with respect to temperature change of the sensor was greater than -5.0 ⁇ 10 -4 nm/°C. That is, the birefringence of the PANDA fiber is preferably no less than 4.4 ⁇ 10 -4 . There is a problem, however, that when the stress-applying parts are placed too near the core in order to increase the birefringence, the production yield of the PANDA fiber deteriorates. Therefore, the birefringence of the PANDA fiber is preferably no greater than 2.0 ⁇ 10 -3 so as to achieve good yield.
  • this example used a PANDA fiber wherein stress-applying parts were placed near the core to increase birefringence.
  • a PANDA fiber in which the invention can be implemented is one which has stress-applying parts with a low fusion point. More specifically, when the fusion point of the stress-applying parts is 600°C or lower, the shift characteristics difference of the Bragg wavelength can be made greater than -5.0 ⁇ 10 -4 nm/°C.
  • Example 4 was made in the same manner as Example 3, except that the sensor length was 100 mm.
  • the state of the sensor 15 was measured using a physical quantity measuring apparatus utilizing OFDR 10F of this example. The results are shown in FIG. 15 .
  • Bragg reflected light of 1549.4 nm is from the slow axis of the sensor, and the one of 1548.7 nm is from the fast axis of the sensor.
  • the wavelength difference of Bragg reflected light obtained by more detailed analysis of this spectrogram was 0.670 nm. This wavelength difference is the same as that of the sensor with a length of 5 mm in Example 3. Therefore, a PANDA fiber using the sensor 15 of this example with a sensor length of 100 mm has a similar birefringence to that of the PANDA fiber using the sensor 15 of Example 3.
  • FIG. 16 is a schematic view showing a test system for measuring temperature distribution and strain generated in a sensor, using a physical quantity measuring apparatus utilizing OFDR 10F of this example.
  • a weight W applies a uniform strain along the long direction of the sensor 15.
  • a heater A and a heater B whose temperatures can be controlled independently, apply non-uniform temperature change along the long direction of the sensor 15.
  • the state of the sensor 15 was measured by the test system shown in FIG. 16 , using the physical quantity measuring apparatus utilizing OFDR 10F of this example. The results are shown in FIG. 17 .
  • the strain of 1000 ⁇ is applied to the sensor 15 by the weight W
  • the temperature change of 100 °C is applied to the sensor 15 by heater A
  • the one of 60°C is applied to the sensor 15 by heater B.
  • the region of the sensor heated by heater A had Bragg wavelength shift corresponding to the temperature change of 100°C, and strain of 1000 ⁇ .
  • the region of the sensor heated by heater B had Bragg wavelength shift corresponding to the temperature change of 60°C, and strain of 1000 ⁇ .
  • the non-heated region between heater A and heater B had Bragg wavelength shift corresponding only to the strain of 1000 ⁇ .
  • the temperature distribution and strain along the long direction of the sensor 15 can be measured simultaneously.
  • the strain applied to the sensor 15 by the weight W was kept to be 1000 ⁇
  • the temperature change applied to the sensor 15 by heater A was kept to be 100°C
  • the temperature change applied to the sensor 15 by heater B was then measured. Results are shown in FIG. 18 .
  • the strain measured at the position of heater A was constant at 1000 ⁇ . Temperature change was also constant at 100°C. Whereas at the position of heater B, the strain measured was constant at 1000 ⁇ , and the measured temperature change changed in correlation with the setting temperature of heater B. That is, it was possible to measure the temperature distribution and strain simultaneously at the position of heater A and the position of heater B with high accuracy.
  • the invention can measure temperature distribution and strain simultaneously along the long direction of the FBG sensor with high accuracy. Also, by using the invention, even if temperature distribution and strain distribution are generated along the long direction of the FBG sensor, they can be measured simultaneously with high accuracy.
  • induced temperature and strain for a sensor can be measured simultaneously. Further, the position of the sensor can be identified accurately, and physical quantities can be measured with high spatial resolution. Moreover, temperature distribution and strain distribution along the long direction of the sensor can be measured simultaneously.
EP09715327.4A 2008-02-29 2009-03-02 Vorrichtung zur messung der physikalischen quantität optischer frequenzbereichsreflexionen sowie verfahren zur gleichzeitigen temperatur- und belastungsmessung unter verwendung der vorrichtung Not-in-force EP2249127B1 (de)

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WO2009107839A1 (ja) 2009-09-03
JP4420982B2 (ja) 2010-02-24
US20100141930A1 (en) 2010-06-10
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